Felton Road

Block 2 Central Otago Chardonnay

9.178 ratings
9.328 pro ratings
Central Otago, Otago, South Island, New Zealand
Chardonnay
Top Notes For
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Drop dead gorgeous cool climate Chardonnay. Paired with Blue Heron Farm lettuces, sherry shallot vinaigrette, parmigiano reggiano.

Drop dead gorgeous cool climate Chardonnay. Paired with Blue Heron Farm lettuces, sherry shallot vinaigrette, parmigiano reggiano.

Oct 29th, 2023
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

First, Central Otago is Gods country. Especially, in April. As well, amazing soil structure & climate for Chardonnay & Pinot Noir.

Then, if you like good White Burgundy that is clean, round with good viscosity and acidity for days, this is for you. If you fit that criteria & haven’t had a good Felton Road Chardonnay, you should.

You could put this in anyone’s hand, including some Master Sommeliers blind, they would call Burgundy. I would as well.

Felton Road was the highlight of our 2017 visit to Central Otago. Rippon was a close second. Jo Mills at Rippon has more passion for wine and making them completely biodynamic than anyone I’ve met & we have met a shit-ton of producers around the world.

The nose shows; mashed, sour lemons, lime zest & candy, just ripe pineapple, grapefruit with pith, touch of white stone fruits, butterscotch notes, beautiful chalkiness, some smokiness, saline, grey volcanics, vanillin, just a touch of maple with caramel, soft side of white spice, honey to marmalade quality, graham cracker with white & yellow florals.

The palate/ body is round, medium full, gorgeously sexy with excellent viscosity. Wire to wire steady & brilliant. Mashed, sour lemons, lime zest & candy, just ripe pineapple, grapefruit with pith, touch of white stone fruits, beautiful chalkiness, saline, grey, powdery, volcanics, limestone, vanillin, just a touch of maple with caramel, butterscotch, mint, eucalyptus, touch of fresh herbs, soft side of white spice, honey to marmalade quality, graham cracker with white & yellow florals & jasmine. The acidity is stunning & like a summer shower. The finish is; gentle, elegant, so well knitted & balanced and persistent for days.

Important to decant & let warm to just below room temp. 62-65 degrees.

The perfect pair is Jasper Hill Farms new Harbison Prosecco washed soft white cheese. Creamy on steroids.

Photos of our 2017 visit to Felton Road, the long view front the property, their front gate, outdoor concrete tanks and our property walk & talk with Owner Nigel Greening.

1/15/21

First, Central Otago is Gods country. Especially, in April. As well, amazing soil structure & climate for Chardonnay & Pinot Noir.

Then, if you like good White Burgundy that is clean, round with good viscosity and acidity for days, this is for you. If you fit that criteria & haven’t had a good Felton Road Chardonnay, you should.

You could put this in anyone’s hand, including some Master Sommeliers blind, they would call Burgundy. I would as well.

Felton Road was the highlight of our 2017 visit to Central Otago. Rippon was a close second. Jo Mills at Rippon has more passion for wine and making them completely biodynamic than anyone I’ve met & we have met a shit-ton of producers around the world.

The nose shows; mashed, sour lemons, lime zest & candy, just ripe pineapple, grapefruit with pith, touch of white stone fruits, butterscotch notes, beautiful chalkiness, some smokiness, saline, grey volcanics, vanillin, just a touch of maple with caramel, soft side of white spice, honey to marmalade quality, graham cracker with white & yellow florals.

The palate/ body is round, medium full, gorgeously sexy with excellent viscosity. Wire to wire steady & brilliant. Mashed, sour lemons, lime zest & candy, just ripe pineapple, grapefruit with pith, touch of white stone fruits, beautiful chalkiness, saline, grey, powdery, volcanics, limestone, vanillin, just a touch of maple with caramel, butterscotch, mint, eucalyptus, touch of fresh herbs, soft side of white spice, honey to marmalade quality, graham cracker with white & yellow florals & jasmine. The acidity is stunning & like a summer shower. The finish is; gentle, elegant, so well knitted & balanced and persistent for days.

Important to decant & let warm to just below room temp. 62-65 degrees.

The perfect pair is Jasper Hill Farms new Harbison Prosecco washed soft white cheese. Creamy on steroids.

Photos of our 2017 visit to Felton Road, the long view front the property, their front gate, outdoor concrete tanks and our property walk & talk with Owner Nigel Greening.

1/15/21

Jan 16th, 2021
Jeff Lander

Just a hint of oak. Aged in neutral barrels. Great fruit and minerality. Very Burgundian in stylr.

Just a hint of oak. Aged in neutral barrels. Great fruit and minerality. Very Burgundian in stylr.

Nov 24th, 2017
Ron R
9.3

Two steps above the 10 vintage. Less oak, and a brighter fruit profile. Lots of butterscotch complete the ensemble.

Two steps above the 10 vintage. Less oak, and a brighter fruit profile. Lots of butterscotch complete the ensemble.

Oct 27th, 2017
Ron R
9.1

A strong showing, but the oak monster made an appearance. Good depth, with layers of flavor. Honeydew melons dance with almonds. Striking balance with good acidity. Finishes bright, yet round.

A strong showing, but the oak monster made an appearance. Good depth, with layers of flavor. Honeydew melons dance with almonds. Striking balance with good acidity. Finishes bright, yet round.

Oct 27th, 2017
Trevor Maskell

Very focused and fine. The matchstick characters are sexy here. Grapefruit and melon without being too fruity. Impressive acid and youthful energy.

Very focused and fine. The matchstick characters are sexy here. Grapefruit and melon without being too fruity. Impressive acid and youthful energy.

Jul 20th, 2017
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Did the Creator touch this land and turn this bottling into wine?

Gods country & Jesus wine.

Perfect mouthfeel & purity, gorgeous, delicate, soft citrus, round, waxy, honeysuckle, amazing, perfect, beautiful chalkiness, elegant, grey minerality, some of the best acidity & incredible balance in a wine I’ve had. The finish is in the theatre of, “Forget About It.” WOTN.

Very Burgundian and better than many I’ve enjoyed for less💰.

Photos of, the harvest time view of the valley floor from the property, open top fermenting Pinot Noir grapes, my property walk & talking w/owner Nigel Greening (amazing time with an amazing person/producer and outside concrete tanks...it’s an even warm to cool growing season that translates into a long fruit hang-time, amazing fruit & acidity.

@DawnE Perfect

Did the Creator touch this land and turn this bottling into wine?

Gods country & Jesus wine.

Perfect mouthfeel & purity, gorgeous, delicate, soft citrus, round, waxy, honeysuckle, amazing, perfect, beautiful chalkiness, elegant, grey minerality, some of the best acidity & incredible balance in a wine I’ve had. The finish is in the theatre of, “Forget About It.” WOTN.

Very Burgundian and better than many I’ve enjoyed for less💰.

Photos of, the harvest time view of the valley floor from the property, open top fermenting Pinot Noir grapes, my property walk & talking w/owner Nigel Greening (amazing time with an amazing person/producer and outside concrete tanks...it’s an even warm to cool growing season that translates into a long fruit hang-time, amazing fruit & acidity.

@DawnE Perfect

1 person found it helpfulJan 11th, 2020
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Very Burgundian with brighter fruits. Even in the best Burgundy vintages, they don't get fruit this bright. Green apples, lemon, lime, beautifully soft minerality and dreamy acidity. Perfect with our first course...Chilled Pea Soup, Buttermilk with Prosciutto Crisp. @Plate&Bottle

Very Burgundian with brighter fruits. Even in the best Burgundy vintages, they don't get fruit this bright. Green apples, lemon, lime, beautifully soft minerality and dreamy acidity. Perfect with our first course...Chilled Pea Soup, Buttermilk with Prosciutto Crisp. @Plate&Bottle

1 person found it helpfulJun 4th, 2017
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

This is absolutely one of the best Chardonnays I've had in a long time. It's made in an extremely well crafted in a Burgundian style...right in my wheelhouse. However, there's a brightness, freshness & purity in their fruit they just can't get even in the best vintages of Burgundy. The nose is soft & delicate precision of; lemon, lime, light butter, cream, pineapple, green apple with soft yellow florals. On the palate, the texture has amazingly light creaminess that has style and perfect elegance. Soft understated, fresh; lemon, lime, pineapple, golden apple, green melon, cream, very light butter, round medium waxy body & citrus blossoms. It's even precision through & through. Nigel's team knows what to do and how to get out of the way in making great wine. I'm sure I don't have to tell you how beautifully; sexy, elegant and precision the nonstop finish shows. Photos of our vineyard tour with Proprietor Nigel Greening and their sign that marks the entrance to Felton Road. We were fortunate that Nigel was in town to host us. He has a residence in Central Otago and England. He is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about wine. I'd like to thank him for all his time, knowledge and amazing hospitality.

This is absolutely one of the best Chardonnays I've had in a long time. It's made in an extremely well crafted in a Burgundian style...right in my wheelhouse. However, there's a brightness, freshness & purity in their fruit they just can't get even in the best vintages of Burgundy. The nose is soft & delicate precision of; lemon, lime, light butter, cream, pineapple, green apple with soft yellow florals. On the palate, the texture has amazingly light creaminess that has style and perfect elegance. Soft understated, fresh; lemon, lime, pineapple, golden apple, green melon, cream, very light butter, round medium waxy body & citrus blossoms. It's even precision through & through. Nigel's team knows what to do and how to get out of the way in making great wine. I'm sure I don't have to tell you how beautifully; sexy, elegant and precision the nonstop finish shows. Photos of our vineyard tour with Proprietor Nigel Greening and their sign that marks the entrance to Felton Road. We were fortunate that Nigel was in town to host us. He has a residence in Central Otago and England. He is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about wine. I'd like to thank him for all his time, knowledge and amazing hospitality.

1 person found it helpfulMay 10th, 2017
Thomas Weber

Solid CH but nothing original going on here.

Solid CH but nothing original going on here.

Apr 26th, 2017